Gabriel Sorrel – Candidate for Maryland House of Delegates (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. Candidates who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information can get access through our contact form. The information in this post was submitted directly by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democratic

Campaign Website: www.mdresist.com

Social Media: Bluesky | Facebook

Why Are You Running For Office?

I am running because we need legislators who recognize there will not be a return to normal after the next presidential election and the Democratic Party must demonstrate its ability to fight for its values now and for the foreseeable future. After witnessing the damage inflicted by the Trump administration on the federal workforce, it is clear that rebuilding our civic institutions will be a decades long fight, and in the meantime I want to see Maryland empower our state agencies in order to fill the vital roles we once trusted to federal agencies.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

Maryland is uniquely impacted by the gutting of the federal workforce, and we have many residents who are highly skilled but will nevertheless face difficulty finding new jobs in the private sector. It would be a mistake to allow this expertise to go to waste; instead, Maryland should create expand our state agencies to become what the CDC, EPA, and FDA once were. This will strengthen Governor Moore’s efforts to make Maryland a major scientific hub and position our state to have services badly needed by the rest of the country.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

My career as a software engineer has trained me to look at problems with a systemic lens and to never let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Compromises are essential in politics as well as in program design, but in both fields one ought to be continually pushing gradual improvements while looking for opportunities for major reforms. Many voters feel something is fundamental broken in our democracy; they are right, and they deserve leadership willing to speak frankly about the root causes behind our political dysfunction.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

I am a proud father, geek, and queer man. Like many of you, I spent my early years focused on my career and family while keeping tabs of our nations politics. Like many of you, I felt immense sorrow at seeing Trump win office not once but twice. I spent much of his first term getting involved in local politics and learning why the Democratic Party struggles even in Blue Maryland, and I sincerely hope that even if I do not succeed in my campaign that your support will demonstrate to others that there is a hunger for major change.

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